Drivers in Birmingham are being warned of extensive road closures across the city centre and the Jewellery Quarter this weekend as the European Athletics Championships host the marathon, race walk events, and the Unity Challenge 1k and 5k. Two central roads will be closed for more than 50 hours, while others have specific closure times. Residents are also being urged to move their cars before midnight to avoid potential fines.
Closures begin Friday with two roads shut for over 50 hours
From Friday 14 August, Colmore Row (Victoria Square) and Waterloo Street (Victoria Square) will be closed from 8am until 6.30pm on Sunday 16 August. This means these two roads will be out of use for more than 50 hours, causing significant disruption for commuters and local businesses.
The closures are necessary to ensure the safety of athletes and spectators during the European Athletics Championships, which are taking place in Birmingham. The event includes the marathon and race walks, which will pass through the city centre and the Jewellery Quarter.
Saturday closures: city centre roads shut from 3am to 3pm
On Saturday 15 August, a series of roads will be closed from 3am to 3pm. These include Bennetts Hill, Church Street, Colmore Circus Queensway, Colmore Row, Livery Street, Newhall Street, Temple Row, Temple Row West, and Waterloo Street. These closures are expected to cause major delays for drivers, and motorists are advised to plan alternative routes.
Residents living on these routes have been warned to move their cars before midnight on Friday to avoid being fined. A leaflet sent to residents ahead of the event stated: "Any vehicles left on the event routes after these times may be moved by our relocation system and could receive a penalty charge notice. Please use driveways or park on nearby streets."
Sunday closures: extensive list of roads affected
On Sunday 16 August, a much larger list of roads will be closed, with varying times. Roads closed from 3am to 1pm include Berkley Street, Bridge Street, Gravnville Street, Holliday Street, Tennant Street, and Suffolk Street Queensway.
Another group of roads will be closed from 3am to 3pm, including Albion Street, Augusta Street, Brindley Drive, Brook Street, Brunswick Square and Brunswick Street, Cambridge Street, Camden Drive and Camden Street, Caroline Street, Charlotte Street, Civic Close, Clement Street, Cox Street, Edward Street, Essington Street, Fleet Street, Frederick Street, George Street, Graham Street, Great Charles Queensway, Grosvenor Street West, Hall Street, Helena Street, Holland Street, James Street, Kenypn Street, King Edwards Drive and Road, Kingston Row, Legge Lane, Lionel Street, Louisa Street, Ludgate Hill, Lyon Queensway, Mary Ann Street, Mary Street, Nelson Street, Newhall Hill, Northwood Street, Oozells Way, Parade, Regent Paradise and Regent Place, Regent Street, Sand Pitts, Scotland Street, Sheepcote Street, St Vincent Street, Summer Hill and Summer Hill Terrace, Townsend Way, Vittoria Street, Vyse Street, Warstone Lane, and Water Street.
Additionally, roads closed from 3am to 3.30pm include Broad Street, Cumberlain Street, Gas Street, Oozells Street, and Sheepcote Street (from Broad Street). From 3am to 4.30pm, Barwick Street, Bennetts Hill, Church Street, Colmore Circus Queensway, Colmore Row, Cornwall Street, Edmund Street, Livery Street, Margaret Street, New Market Street, Newhall Street, Temple Row, Temple Row West, Temple Street, and Waterloo Street will be closed.
Residents warned to move cars or face fines
The leaflet also noted: "Signs explaining the road closures and parking restrictions will be put up along the routes two weeks before the event." It added: "Pedestrian and emergency access to all properties will be maintained throughout the road closures."
The leaflet concluded: "Thank you for your understanding. We aim to minimise disruption as much as possible and would love for you to be part of Birmingham 2026!"
These closures are part of the European Athletics Championships 2026, which are being held in Birmingham. The event has already sparked controversy over food prices, with an Olympian criticising the cost of a pork roll at £17.50. The road closures are expected to cause significant disruption, but organisers have stressed that emergency access will be maintained at all times.
